Halloween is less than a week away, and everyone is gearing up in their best costumes to go trick-or-treating. However, even though there’s plenty of fun to be found, there are still risks involved when walking around town trick-or-treating.
Halloween is meant to be a fun and exciting time for you children, so take a look at these tips below to keep you trick-or-treaters safe and happy. Here’s some safety advice courtesy of the NYPD:
1. Be aware of your surroundings at all times
There are going to be a lot of ghosts, ghouls and other monsters roaming around on Halloween. Be aware of who is around you and your children, and if anyone seems too shady for your liking, stay away.
2. Avoid poorly lit areas and homes of people you don’t know
Okay, we know you’re not going to take you children down any dark alleys to go trick-or-treating, but if you wander into a neighborhood that you don’t know so well and it’s not very well lit, turn around and head into familiar territory.
3. Travel in groups
There is strength and safety in numbers, so trick-or-treat in a group! Gather up some friends and trick-or-treat together.
4. Avoid displaying valuables or electronic devices
Lots of people will be wearing masks on Halloween, including thieves. They’ll hide behind masks in order to commit crimes, so don’t risk leaving valuables and electronic devices within their reach.
5. Don’t use you cellphone when crossing the street
While there is bound to be a lot of foot traffic during Halloween, you still can’t account for how traffic will respond on the road. Don’t look at your phone while crossing the street and keep track of your child instead to avoid an accident.
6. Place emergency identification discreetly inside your child’s clothing in case of accidental separation
In case you do get separated from your child, put some identification inside there costume before you leave the house. Take a picture of them before you leave, too.
7. Only eat Halloween candy that has been wrapped in its original, unopened packaging
We’ve been hearing this warning basically since trick-or-treating started, but it should be taken seriously. If your child has any candy that looks like it could have been tampered with, get rid of it! It’s not worth the risk, and chances are they have more candy where that came from.
